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After a couple of days of grueling practice sessions, Rafael Nadal used the weekend behind us to enjoy his second passion besides tennis. The 22-time Major winner entered the Absolute Balearic Golf Championship and finished fifth, eight strokes behind the winner.
Nadal traveled to London the next day and will seek the season's third Major title at Wimbledon in the upcoming weeks. Rafa's results on the tennis court have been nothing but great this year, and the Spaniard leads the ATP Race at 36.
Nadal has won both Majors in 2022 and is almost 2000 points clear of his closest rivals, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Carlos Alcaraz. Rafa skipped the second part of 2021 due to a foot injury, making an impressive comeback this season to get back where he belongs and lead the GOAT race.
Nadal is 30-3 in 2022, stopping the clock and claiming four titles from five finals. Rafa came back at Melbourne's small ATP 250 tournament, not playing at his best but gaining confidence. The Spaniard used it nicely at the Australian Open, keeping his foot under control and reaching the sixth Melbourne Park final.
Nadal performed an incredible comeback in the title clash against Daniil Medvedev to lift the trophy.
Rafael Nadal played golf ahead of Wimbledon.
He trailed 6-2, 7-6, 3-3, 40-0 before overcoming the deficit and prevailing in five hours and 24 minutes for a massive celebration.
Nadal conquered Acapulco in February and reached the Indian Wells final to extend the winning streak. Struggling with a fractured rib, Rafa lost to Taylor Fritz in straight sets and took a break until Madrid in May. The king of clay did not play at his best in the Spanish capital, and he struggled even more in Rome versus Denis Shapovalov.
The Spaniard almost retired in the deciding set against the Canadian, and no one could tell would he be able to endure the efforts in Paris. Rafa took his doctor with him to Paris and annulled the foot pain with frequent injections.
That allowed him to perform on a high level and secure the 14th Roland Garros crown from 18 trips to Paris. Nadal defeated four top-10 players in a row en route to the 22nd Major crown, moving two clear of Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.
Rafa will play at Wimbledon for the first time in 2019, hoping to find the rhythm and perform injury-free while chasing the first final in London since 2011.